As a retired teacher and a parent of 4, I must add my “Hell, yes”. I could go on for chapters about my opinions on this topic. Some of my favorite memories in the classroom included fabulous fashion show presentations of imagined characters the students would bring to life. Most of the chaos of creation was handled at home because of logistics, though I later worked at The Tinkering School where there were hands on experiences. A side note- I bought a couple of your pandemic clay creations and they are homes for succulents on my kitchen counter.
I’m so glad the Tinkering School exists. And thanks for buying my pinch pots. I still have a ridiculous number of them here at the house. I’m rather astonished at my productivity during lockdown. I feel very grateful I had the inspiration and the money to indulge myself in all of those crafts.
Love this. As I'm kicking around ideas for my eventual microschool (i.e. hack/homeschooling my kids and possibly a handful of others), I'm constantly weighing how to balance academic skill-building with unstructured creative freedom. I think they're both super important, though the exact dosage of each needs to vary by kid, and I don't think they need to overlap as much as some people want to see (e.g. teaching music only to help kids with math, or trying to make concrete writing skills more fun than functional). It's okay for work to be work and play to be play, and not everything has to be both, though that can also be fine sometimes...
It really is a balance. I do think raising kids today seems infinitely more challenging than in the ‘90s. There’s advice coming from all directions. And warnings and studies. And we all know that today’s “must be true” study results could soon enough be debunked. I’m excited for your school. Maybe I can come and make art with the students. Not as in me leading them. As in them leading me. I do love little kids’ imaginations.
As a grandma of girls, I have always encouraged art, stories and make believe. As they have gotten older, it has been more of a challenge. I'm grateful that the school they attended still offer creative classes.
Thank you for sharing Temple Grandin's new book. I love her!
My daughter and a friend went to Fashion Camp together! I remember feeling vaguely guilty that I wasn’t providing better support at home for hands-on projects (I can sew). I most clearly remember how much they enjoyed the fashion show & the music from Henry & friends.
When I first heard TG talking about visual thinking—an interview on Fresh Air maybe?— the lightbulbs started lighting up for me. Until then I didn’t even realize there was any other way to think. I see things as movies in my mind. I’m so glad you figured out your visual thinking thing. I’ve been wondering if the reason I went the verbal route for so long, before trying visual art, is because a) an art teacher discouraged me in 4th grade and b) writing was the only thing I could do in my childhood home so that was the only path to take. I’m enjoying exploring my visual side.
As a retired teacher and a parent of 4, I must add my “Hell, yes”. I could go on for chapters about my opinions on this topic. Some of my favorite memories in the classroom included fabulous fashion show presentations of imagined characters the students would bring to life. Most of the chaos of creation was handled at home because of logistics, though I later worked at The Tinkering School where there were hands on experiences. A side note- I bought a couple of your pandemic clay creations and they are homes for succulents on my kitchen counter.
I’m so glad the Tinkering School exists. And thanks for buying my pinch pots. I still have a ridiculous number of them here at the house. I’m rather astonished at my productivity during lockdown. I feel very grateful I had the inspiration and the money to indulge myself in all of those crafts.
Love this. As I'm kicking around ideas for my eventual microschool (i.e. hack/homeschooling my kids and possibly a handful of others), I'm constantly weighing how to balance academic skill-building with unstructured creative freedom. I think they're both super important, though the exact dosage of each needs to vary by kid, and I don't think they need to overlap as much as some people want to see (e.g. teaching music only to help kids with math, or trying to make concrete writing skills more fun than functional). It's okay for work to be work and play to be play, and not everything has to be both, though that can also be fine sometimes...
It really is a balance. I do think raising kids today seems infinitely more challenging than in the ‘90s. There’s advice coming from all directions. And warnings and studies. And we all know that today’s “must be true” study results could soon enough be debunked. I’m excited for your school. Maybe I can come and make art with the students. Not as in me leading them. As in them leading me. I do love little kids’ imaginations.
As a grandma of girls, I have always encouraged art, stories and make believe. As they have gotten older, it has been more of a challenge. I'm grateful that the school they attended still offer creative classes.
Thank you for sharing Temple Grandin's new book. I love her!
I’m glad they still have creative classes, too. And a grandma who knows the importance of art and imagination.
My daughter and a friend went to Fashion Camp together! I remember feeling vaguely guilty that I wasn’t providing better support at home for hands-on projects (I can sew). I most clearly remember how much they enjoyed the fashion show & the music from Henry & friends.
When I first heard TG talking about visual thinking—an interview on Fresh Air maybe?— the lightbulbs started lighting up for me. Until then I didn’t even realize there was any other way to think. I see things as movies in my mind. I’m so glad you figured out your visual thinking thing. I’ve been wondering if the reason I went the verbal route for so long, before trying visual art, is because a) an art teacher discouraged me in 4th grade and b) writing was the only thing I could do in my childhood home so that was the only path to take. I’m enjoying exploring my visual side.